Great Taste, the world’s most coveted food awards, which celebrates the very best in food and drink, has announced the Great Taste stars of 2018.

And out of over 12,600 products to be judged, Millar Meats, Irvinestown was awarded a two-star Great Taste award, which means judges dubbed it above and beyond delicious for its Dry Aged Rib Eye Steak and one-star Great Taste award, which means judges dubbed it a food that delivers fantastic flavour for its Dry Aged Sirloin (Shorthorn).

Judges comments included: “A delightfully tender steak with great flavour delivery”, “Flavours roll on for ages”, “A handsome steak with a good proportion of fat to lean, nicely caramelised and a really good marbling of fat”.

Judged by over 500 of the most demanding palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and producers, as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakeable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind-tasting by hundreds of judges.

Stephen Millar, owner explains: “We have previously received Great Taste Awards so we decided this year to enter again as a means of verifying our excellence in terms of high quality local produce. These awards coupled with being on the winning team for the World Butchers Challenge has meant a very exciting year for myself and my business”.

There were 12,634 entries into Great Taste this year and of those products, 192 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,207 received a 2-star and 3,254 were awarded a 1-star accolade. The panel of judges this year included; MasterChef 2018 champion, Kenny Tutt, chef and food writer, Elly Curshen, eco chef and food writer, Tom Hunt, author and chef, Zoe Adjonyoh, baker Tom Herbert, author and blogger, Izy Hossack, and baker and recipe writer, Martha Collison, as well as food buyers from Harrods, Selfridges and Sourced Market.